Garment hanger

ABSTRACT

A soft goods garment support device, wherein a frame is formed of substantially the same configuration as the garment to be displayed thereon, the said frame having a resilient member disposed along at least one upstanding edge thereof for the support of the garment when said garment is positioned therearound, with the excess material in said garment being disposed between said resilient member and the frame so as to provide a neat, aesthetic and ornamental display of the garment.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Abraham Alpert 19941 Ardmore Ave.,Detroit, Mich. 48235 [21] Appl. No. 716,394 [22] Filed Mar. 27, 1968{45] Patented Jan. 5,1971

[54] GARMENT HANGER 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,170.126 8/1939 Cleophas223/69 2,765,967 10/1956 Boyagain..... 223/91 877,598 1/1908 Rountree223/88 2,428,820 10/1947 Therrien 223/88 2,527,869 10/1950 Wintergreen223/91 2,998,173 8/1961 Lutz 223/91 3,023,912 3/1962 Sebastian 223/96UXPrimary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant ExaminerGeorge H. KrizmanichAttorney-Robert H. Elliott ABSTRACT: A soft goods garment supportdevice, wherein a frame is formed of substantially the sameconfiguration as the garment to be displayed thereon, the said framehaving a resilient member disposed along at least one upstanding edgethereof for the support of the garment when said garment is positionedtherearound, with the excess material in said garment being disposedbetween said resilient member and the frame so as to provide a neat,aesthetic and ornamental display of the garment.

PATENTED JAN 5 I971 INVENTOR W ABRAHAM ALPERT I 05m" H [LL/arr GARMENTHANGER DISPLAY DEVICE A primary object of this invention is for thedisplay of soft goods in a place of business, wherein the items to beshown are secured to the device in such a manner as to substantiallyreduce the stretch characteristically encountered in a garment as aresult of its inherent weight.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide agarment hanger and merchandise display device which is not only lightweight and durable,'but of substantially less cost than any item whichis now available in the market place.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a display devicewherein the prospective customer will have a better opportunity toscrutinize that which he anticipates the purchase.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a merchandisedisplay device which canbesuspended, as well as floor mounted.

Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision of agarment hanger wherein the configuration thereof can be modified toaccommodate a wide variety of merchandise, particularly in the field ofknits and other loosely woven materials.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a merchandisedisplay device wherein the device can be readily stored in a small spacewhen not in use and will occupy a minimum of space when it is in use.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention can beaccomplished by the provision of a garment hanger and merchandisedisplay device wherein .the' configuration of the said display device issubstantially the same as the merchandise which is to be displayedthereon, while resilient members are positioned in spaced relationshipwith the edges thereof for the support of said merchandise withoutallowing the suspended weight of said merchandise to stretch the fabricfrom which it is made, with means being provided for the suspension ofsaid display device or the. floor mounting of same.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingswhich form a part of this specification, wherein like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I illustrates a garment support frame and displaydevice which embodies the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a modified form of the present invention wherein thegarment clamping support has been modified.

FIG. 3 is a typical garment support frame and display device which isadapted for the support of merchandise having a different configurationfrom that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but employing substantially thesame type frame structure.

FIG. 4 of the drawings shows a structure similar to that of FIGS. I and2, inverted and employing a modified garment clamping means.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through one of the support members.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also,it is to be understood that the phrascology and or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not limitation.

With reference to FIG. I ofthe drawings, it will be observed that thegarment frame assembly I0 is of substantially regular and symmetricalconfigurationand can be used for the display ofa sweater or knittedblouse etc. The top portion 12 and bottom portion 14 are substantiallyparallel, while the intermediate sections thereof are disposed inangular relationship thereto. In generally perpendicular relationship tothe top portion 12 are two downturned sections 16 and 18 from whichdepend in angular relationship and in opposite directions, two members22 and 24. Disposed between the ends of members 22 and 24 are twodownturned members26 and 28 which intersect the ends of the bottomportion 14 in angular relationship to form an enclosed frame. Forpurposes of illustration,

loops 36 are secured to members 22 and 24 respectively, while loops 38are secured to the bottom portion 14. The loops 36 and 38 or whateverare secured by any suitable means such as welding or the the like andneed not be closed at both ends as illustrated, since they could be inthe form of hooks, without departing from the spirit of the invention.An elastic band 32 is disposed between members 36 and 38 respectively oneach side thereof and in generally parallel spaced relationship withmembers 26 and 28. Thus, it is readily apparent that if a blouse orsweater is disposed over or around said frame as sembly l0 and excessportions thereof are disposed between the frame members 26 and 28 andthe elastic bands 32, the blouse or sweater will be effectively held sothat the garment can be effectively displayed. If the device issuspended for display, then a hook is secured to the top portion 12,while if the device is floor mounted, legs as shown in dotted line areemployed. Two legs could be secured to the bottom portion I4 asidentified by numerals 42, while a pivotal leg could be secured to thetop portion 12, and it is identified by the numeral 44.

In FIG. 2 of the drawings, a second unitary frame assembly 10A isillustrated. A hook 45 is secured to the top portion 12A from whichdepend sections 16A and 18A respectively. Integral therewith andextending therefrom in angular relationship and in opposite directionsare members 22A and 24A, which are further downturned to form members26A and 28A the ends of which are formed in generally parallelrelationship I or otherwise clamped between resilient members and theframe proper.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a modified hollow supportmember 280 similar to support member 28A in FIG. 2. Openings 282 areprovided for exit of moth-proofing vapor.

In FIG. 3 of the drawings, another modified form of the invention isillustrated and is adapted for use with a knitted dress or the like. Thetop 128 and the bottom portion 14B are substantially parallel, while theintermediate portions thereof are disposed in angular relationshipthereto. Secured to the top portion 128 is a hook 458, while dependingfrom the top por tion 12B are two downturned sections 16B and 188 fromwhich depend in opposite directions and in angular relationship twomembers 22B and 24B. At the ends of members 228 and 24B are twodownturned sections. 268 and 28B, each of which intersect the ends ofthe bottom portion 14B. Intermediate the intersection points thereof aretwo reverse angle bends, each of which has a bifurcated guide member 52at tached thereto. As previously discussed and for purposes ofillustration, loops 36B are secured to members 228 and 248 respectively,while loops 38B are secured ti the bottom portion 148. The loops 36B and388 or whatever are secured by any suitable means, such as welding andneed not be closed at both ends as illustrated, since they could be inthe form of hooks threaded onto each of the respective members withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. A resilient band is disposedbetween the loop members 368 and 388 respectively and between the tinesof the bifurcated members 52. The positioning of the loops or hooks 36Band 38B and the bifurcated members 52 maintain the resilient ban d 32Bin substantially parallel spaced relationship with members 26B and-28B.

The garment applied thereover or around is positioned and clamped on theframe as previously discussed and is effectively held in such a manneras to prevent the characteristic distortion of garment as a result ofits inherent weight when it is hung or otherwise suspended. Because ofthe size of the display device shown in FIG. 3, a crisscross support 54is disposedintermediate the downturned portions 168 and 18B and thebottom portion l4li. As described in connection with FIG. I, andillustrated in dotted line in both FIGS. 1 and 3, leg members 42B can besecured to the bottom portion 14, while a pivotal leg 44 can be attachedto the crisscross members 54.

FIG. 4 of the drawings is similar to the previously describedstructures, however, this structure is adapted for use with ladiesskirts and the like. In this instance, the frame 60 of generallysymmetrical trapezoidal configuration, with parallel top and bottomportions identified by the numerals 12C and 14C respectively. The sidemembers 26C and 28C are tapered and the ends thereof intersect the topand bottom portions 12C and 14C as an integral assembly. Positioned insubstantially parallel relationship with the side members 26C and 28Care two resilient clamp bars 56 and 58, held together by a pair ofspring load pivotal members 62 and 64 about pivots 66 and 68respectively. The clamp members 56 and 58 are bifurcated at each end andare guided by the parallel top and bottom portions 12C and 14C of theframe 60. It will then be readily apparent that when the pivotal members62 and 64 are displaced, the resilient clamping members 56 and 58 willbe operated to clamp the garment positioned therearound between saidframe and said clamping members.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the invention issimple, durable and inexpensive to manufacture. It

is small in size and a giant in function and can be used efficiently inthe modern economy.

Iclaim:

I. In a merchandise display and garment support device, the combinationof: 1 i

a frame of substantially the same configuration as the garment to bedisplayed and having an open framework and garment suspending menus; 7 4

said open framework including spa cd gcncrally vertical support members;

resilient means closely spaced from and between the inner surfaces ofsaid support members; and

said resilient means adapted to position and secure portions of agarment therebetween, thereby eliminating any distortion or said garmentsupported thereby due to its inherent weight. I

2. A device as in claim I, wherein the frame is made ofwire ofsufficient strength to support said garment.

3. A device as in claim l,wherein the frame is made-Of hollow plasticmembers which are perforated and adapted to have moth repellent locatedtherein.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein legs are provided on said frame toposition said frame on a substantially flat surface after a garment hasbeen fitted therearound.

S. A device as in claim 4, wherein'said legs are adjustable and providea three point surface contact. g

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said resilient member is in the formof an elastic band positioned between the inner upper and lower surfacesof the frame; I

1. In a merchandise display and garment support device, the combinationof: a frame of substantially the same configuration as the garment to bedisplayed and having an open framework and garment suspending means;said open framework including spaced, generally vertical supportmembers; resilient means closely spaced from and between the innersurfaces of said support members; and said resilient means adapted toposition and secure portions of a garment therebetween, therebyeliminating any distortion or said garment supported thereby due to itsinherent weight.
 2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the frame is made ofwire of sufficient strength to support said garment.
 3. A device as incLaim 1, wherein the frame is made of hollow plastic members which areperforated and adapted to have moth repellent located therein.
 4. Adevice as in claim 1, wherein legs are provided on said frame toposition said frame on a substantially flat surface after a garment hasbeen fitted therearound.
 5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said legsare adjustable and provide a three point surface contact.
 6. A device asin claim 1, wherein said resilient member is in the form of an elasticband positioned between the inner upper and lower surfaces of the frame.